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John Van der Jagt, a veteran of the late war, residing on section 35,
in the town of Holland, is numbered among the old pioneer settlers of
Sheboygan County. He is a native of the village of Burg, province of
Schouwen, Holland, born June 5, 1837, and is a son of Cornelius and
Martha (Bunefeltt) Van der Jagt, being one of four surviving
children. The others are: Leonard, who is a farmer of Holland
Township; Minnie, who became the wife of John De Master, a business
man of Cedar Grove; and Peter, who is a farmer of Baldwin, St. Croix
County, Wis.

Our subject was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents,
who, with six children, sailed for the United States. During the
passage a baby sister was taken sick and died and was buried at sea.
Mr. Van der Jagt remembers one very severe storm encountered, which
lasted twenty-four hours and brought terror to the hearts of all on
board, but the good ship weathered the storm, landing all in safety
in New York. The family came direct to Sheboygan County, where the
parents passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. Van der Jagt
attended school in the old log schoolhouse, situated on section 26,
in the town of Holland, which was presided over by William Higby, the
pioneer schoolmaster in this township. However, his educational
advantages were limited to three months during the winter season. He
early learned to assist in the work on his father's farm, and in a
new country, where all was in a state of wildness, there was much
work for everyone that could aid in any way. His father, in
connection with another, improved and cultivated a farm of one
hundred and ten acres.

On the 4th day of March, 1862, Mr. Van der Jagt was united in
marriage with Miss Jozena De Master, daughter of Peter and Johanna
(Blanker) De Master, pioneers in the town of Holland, both long since
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Van der Jagt became the parents of twelve
children, eight of whom are living, as follows: Cornelius, born
February 10, 1865, and now a resident of Indian Territory; Jennie,
born October 5, 1867, who became the wife of J. Sheehan, of
Milwaukee; Martha, born December 22, 1870; Peter, born October 26,
1871; Minnie, born January 13, 1874, also in Milwaukee; Sarah, born
March 17, 1876; Josephine, born February 22, 1880; and John, born
February 12, 1883.

Mr. and Mrs. Van der Jagt began their domestic life in a log cabin,
which was built on his present farm. About 1880 a modern dwelling
was erected, but in the new home only a few years were spent. Mrs.
Van der Jagt was called from this life March 14, 1888, and three days
later, on the birthday of her daughter Sarah, she was laid to rest.
She was a good Christian wife and mother, esteemed and beloved for
her many excellencies of character by all who knew her.

When President Lincoln called for volunteers to put down the
rebellion, Mr. Van der Jagt was among the number who made response
and entered the service of his adopted country, where he served as a
soldier with honor to himself and the Union.

In his political views, Mr. Van der Jagt is a Republican, and
supports the principles advocated by that party. He and his family
attend the First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Grove, in which they
take an active part. Their home is a pleasant one, and the love of
the children for their father, who has ever made their lives happy,
sharing alike in their joys and sorrows, is unbounded. Mr. Van der
Jagt is a popular and respected citizen, and is well known throughout
this portion of the county.